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DMSB Students: Win $1,500 for writing an essay

Cash Award Opportunity for Current Darla Moore School of Business Students

– Open to Graduates and Under Graduates –

RETIREMENT AND BENEFITS MANAGEMENT SEMINAR—BACKGROUND

With the changing demographics of United States and the increased national debates about the future of programs such as Medicare and Social Security, the issues of retirement in both the public and private sectors are likely to come in the spotlight more than ever before. On April 24-25, 2014, the Darla Moore School of Business will hold the 43rd Annual Retirement and Benefits Management Seminar in Charlotte, North Carolina.

With sponsorship from a number of companies who are thought-leaders in the field, and

participation from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service, this seminar is designed to provide thought-leadership and industry best practices for qualified plan sponsors, pension advisors, record keepers, attorneys and auditors. It will feature several nationally renowned speakers.

OPPORTUNITY FOR CASH AWARD:

In order to provide interested students the opportunity to participate in this event, the co-sponsors are offering two $1,500 cash awards to students based on the result of this essay competition. Additionally, the winners will attend the seminar free of charge to listen to and participate in the discussions.

ESSAY DETAILS:

Students may choose one of the two subject areas listed below. They should be submitted in Times New Roman, 12-point font and should be no longer than four single spaced pages.

Essay Topic 1

The Affordable Care Act is one of the flagship pieces of legislation in recent memory. It

is the source of much attention and significant political debate. As individuals, each of us

will be impacted in some way. But how should employers be planning and acting? What

are practical ways to address the cost issues of medical coverage in a fiscally and socially

appropriate way, while paying attention to their fiduciary duties to the shareholders?

What are key social vs. business tensions raised by this legislation? Are actions such as

reducing work hours for part-time workers logical or acceptable ways to balance those

obligations? What alternatives exist in the event of significant under-enrollment of

healthy, young adults compared to the higher risk enrollees?

Essay Topic 2

Defined Benefit Plans, at least for companies that have a record of long-tenured

employees, represent a significant long-term financial obligation. This has driven many

companies to adopt solutions, including Defined Contribution Plans, to provide a

supplement to National Schemes, primarily Social Security. Should the private sector be

compelled to step up to the plate and help ameliorate the impending crisis with Social

Security and Medicare? If so, what would that look like and how can companies start to